The College of Education, Health and Human Performance provides new students with numerous opportunities to make early connections to their major field of interest prior to the start of the first semester. To gain knowledge of the complex path to becoming a teacher educator, ALL PRE-ELEMENTARY AND PRE-SECONDARY TEACHER EDUCATION CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO:
*Note: Secondary Education majors have two academic colleges that relate to their major. For example, art education majors have an academic home in the Department of Architecture, Art and Design and the College of Education, Health and Human Performance. In order to keep informed on issues related to becoming a certified teacher educator, Pre-Secondary Education majors should attend the above events hosted by the College of Education, Health and Human Perfomance NOT their specialization area.
The pre-admission process into Teacher Education begins with the completion of a Declaration of Intent form. This form is distributed to students in the EDUC 2200: Introduction to Education class. The Declaration of Intent form provides students with a list of requirements into Teacher Education and starts the admissions process with the creation of a student file in the Teacher Certification Office.
Listed below are the requirements for consideration into Teacher Education:
Pre-Education Classes
Students must complete two pre-education classes, EDUC 2200: Introduction to Education and EDUC 2201: Instructional Technology as part of the application process. Both classes must be passed with a grade of “C” or better.
Grade Point Average
Entrance into Teacher Education requires a 2.75 or higher GPA in all three of the following areas:
It is strongly recommended that students take advantage of the Fairmont State University D/F Repeat Policy and retake any grades lower than a “C” as soon as possible.
Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educator Test
All teacher candidates must pass the Praxis Core (Reading, Writing, and Math sections) or have received a test exemption by providing evidence of an ACT score of Reading = 17, Writing = 17, Math = 21 or SAT (New) combined Reading and Writing = 480 and Math = 530.
Candidates should plan taking the Praxis Core Test during their first semester as a Pre-Education major.
To register for the Praxis Core Test go to http://www.ets.org/.
Field Experience 1 (formerly Early Field Experience PDS - Public School)
Field Experience 1 provides students with first-hand knowledge of the type of work educators do in a public school setting. Students are required to complete 30-hours in a public-school that includes experience working with diverse populations.
Credit may be awarded to transfer students who have completed similiar field experience at another institution.
*Note: During the file review period, a request for information on candidates will be sent to all School of Education, Health and Human Performance faculty, staff, and administrators. Feedback on a candidate’s “dispositions” is a significant part of this process. According to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) a disposition is defined as those “professional attitudes, values, and beliefs demonstrated through both verbal and non-verbal behaviors as educators interact with students, families, colleagues, and communities". Candidates should be aware of how personal and professional behaviors may reflect on their pursuit of a career in Teacher Education.